Author: David Pike

David Pike is an experienced news journalist with over 20 years experience as a UK News editor for WTX News and other news publications.

Tesco staff offered body cameras over crime fears Tesco’s chief executive Ken Murphy has said staff at Tesco stores will be offered body cameras as violent attacks against staff has risen. Physical assaults on staff have increased by a third since last year. The findings are similar to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) which found abuse against retail staff had almost doubled compared to pre-Covid levels. Other supermarket chains such as Waitrose and Co-op have…

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Concrete crisis: Headteachers in weekend dash to make schools safe to open Amid school closures due to unsafe buildings, England’s headteachers are scrambling this weekend to find ways to reopen their schools in time for the new term. Many of the 104 schools told to shut due to the buildings are busy rejigging timetables, seeking alternative classrooms and trying to rent temporary toilets. Parents are being emailed last-minute plans for home learning and moving children…

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Train strikes start ahead of weekend disruption Friday will see large parts of the country without train services as the latest strike action starts. Members of Aslef union – who work at more than a dozen train companies are striking and refusing to work overtime on Saturday. Saturday will also see up to 20,000 RMT union members at 14 operators also strike in a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. Operators running no services…

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Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Friday’s front pages mostly lead with the last-minute closure of school buildings in England due to the buildings being made with aerated concrete. School closures in England The Guardian’s headline: “School chaos as buildings are shut over collapse fears.” The paper reports “Thousands of pupils in England may begin the autumn term taking lessons remotely or in temporary buildings.” The i newspaper reports parents with children in the schools…

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Cabinet reshuffle latest: Grant Shapps appointment ‘ruffles feathers’ – as successor for his old job confirmed Sky News says The appointment of military novice Grant Shapps as defence secretary is a risky move by the prime minister at a time of war in Europe and major funding challenges for the armed forces. A senior Whitehall source said the choice suggests Rishi Sunak favours appearance over substance, placing a strong communicator into one of the most…

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Grant Shapps becomes defence secretary and Claire Coutinho named energy secretary – cabinet reshuffle live The Independent says Claire Coutinho has been confirmed as the new energy secretary as Rishi Sunak carries out a mini-reshuffle of his cabinet. Ms Coutinho, the former education minister, replaces Grant Shapps, who took over from Ben Wallace after he resigned as defence secretary. A close ally of Mr Sunak who previously worked as his special adviser, Ms Coutinho becomes…

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